History & Lore

The avocado is native to Mexico, Central America and parts of South America and was cultivated by the ancient Mayas, Toltecs, Aztecs, Incas and other great Indian civilizations for centuries before the white man arrived in the New World. Early explorers were enthusiastic about the new-found fruit and took it back with them to Europe where it was gradually introduced throughout the areas with climates favorable to its culture. By 1825, avocado was grown in the Hawaiian Islands, Africa and Polynesia.